July 2nd, 2019

Compostable Bags

The Co-op has been asked if compostable plastic bags are a viable alternative to the standard plastic bags offered in the produce and meat departments. 

For several reasons, compostable bags are not in line with the Co-op’s goals and standards. 

Not compostable at home

Very few if any compostable bags will break down in a backyard composting system. Most require industrial composting equipment, which is not available to Ashland or Medford waste management subscribers. Most brands carry the ASTM D6400 designation, which signifies ‘compostable in municipal and industrial composting facilities’ - facilities which are not available in the Rogue Valley. 

Production practices

Many of the bio-plastics and compostable plastics are made from GMO corn, cultivated with non-organic practices that include pesticides and herbicides. 

Arable land to grow packaging instead of food

Food security is already an issue across the country. Devoting land that could grow healthy foods to create single-use packaging instead is not a trade-off that the Co-op supports.

Durability

These single-use bags are weaker and prone to puncture, leading to less re-use and increasing the demand for a single-use replacement. 

The Co-op will continue to research alternatives as new technologies come to market. Until then, we will encourage behavior change at the consumer level through the promotion of affordable, reusable bags. 

More Co-op News

April 12th, 2022

Open House Hiring Event

The Ashland Food Co-op is excited to provide employees with a fun, professional workplace with potential for growth and advancement. We see every day as an opportunity to better our community, our planet, and ourselves! Eligible employees will receive a 15% employee discount on all store purchases, affordable healthcare, 3.5 weeks of paid time off in your first year for vacation and sick days, matching 401K plan after 1 year, productivity and profit sharing bonus opportunities, free organic produce every day... and so much more!

March 18th, 2022

Standing with Democracy

Our Community Food Co-op has joined, along with other co-ops across the nation, to donate to a Disaster Recovery Fund organized by National Co+op Grocers (NCG) Cooperation, Cooperative Development Foundation (CDF) and National Co-op Business Association of the United States (NCBA CLUSA) to Co-op Ukraine to support cooperatives impacted by the war in Ukraine.